...it is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves...1Sam 17:47

I will dance and resist and dance and persist and dance. This heartbeat is louder than death. “ — Suheir Hammad

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Looking for the Helpers

Mr. Rogers used to quote his mother, saying, "Whenever tragedy strikes, look for the helpers."

Bad things happen, but good people help.

I'm honestly trying to not think too hard about what those three Cleveland women and the little girl went through being held captive in that house for a decade.  Police reports included finding ropes and chains and other sorts of evidence usually seen in a Law and Order SVU episode.

So let's think about Charles Ramsey.  I about cry every time he is interviewed.

He is just a normal, working-class guy.  There he was, hanging out in his living room chomping on McDonald's when he hears a woman yelling for help.

And you know what?  He helped.  He helped kick in a door, call the police, keep that woman and her little girl safe until the police got there.

And then his attitude was, "Of course.  Who wouldn't help?" When asked about receiving a reward for rescuing those women, he said, "I got a paycheck.  Give the money to those women."

Stop a moment and think.  Rough neighborhood, home of a neighborhood friend, something occurring so out of context you might not understand what is happening... or even knowing who else was behind that door, armed with God-Knows-What kind of weapon.

He didn't know.  He still helped.  He expected nothing in return and refused to profit from his actions.

That, to me, is Superman.

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